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Rodman & Rodman P.C. Promotes Robert Leonard, CPA, MBA to Audit Director

Robert Leonard, CPA, MBA
Robert Leonard, CPA, MBA

Rodman & Rodman, P.C., an independent accounting and tax firm with a Renewable Energy and Cleantech specialty practice serving “green” clients throughout the U.S., has recently promoted Robert Leonard, a Certified Public Accountant, to Audit Director.

Mr. Leonard has been part of the Rodman & Rodman team since 2005 and previously held the position of Audit Manager. In his new role, he oversees financial statement engagements, including audits and reviews, primarily for closely held businesses and employee benefit plans. Mr. Leonard earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Bentley University in Waltham, and a Master of Business Administration from Framingham State College.

Mr. Leonard is the treasurer for the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) Benefits Council of New England, as well as a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and MyPinnacleNetwork. He resides in Pembroke, MA.

Rodman & Rodman is located in Newton, MA.  For three consecutive years, Rodman & Rodman has been named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in Accounting Today.

About Rodman & Rodman P.C.

Founded in 1961 and listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms,” Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies. The Rodman & Rodman “Green Team” is a specialized green energy and clean technology accounting and tax services practice within Rodman & Rodman, P.C. that serves “green” clients throughout the U.S.  The company is Green Business Certified. For more information, email info@rodmancpa.com, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

 

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Rodman & Rodman’s Kathy Parker Outlines Subtleties of Clean Energy Tax Incentives at Environmental Business Council Conference in Boston

Kathy Parker, CPA, MST
Kathy Parker, CPA, MST

“With the elimination of the 1603 cash grant, the primary tax incentive driving renewable energy investment will be the Investment Tax Credit or ITC,” said Kathy Parker, speaking last week in Boston at the Renewable Energy Development Incentives and Financing Seminar, hosted by the Environmental Business Council of New England. Kathy Parker, CPA, MST is a partner at CPA firm, Rodman & Rodman, P.C., and a leader at the firm’s “Green Team” renewable energy practice.

The ITC is not simply a deduction, explained Parker. It is a tax credit good for up to 30% of the cost of the project, and is often an incentive that can only be enjoyed by entities with substantial passive income and a large tax appetite. Passive losses can only be offset by passive income. “C corporations with large income are great candidates to take losses, but sometimes these investors are hard to find or the deals are too small for larger investors to take an interest,” noted Parker. The credit can also be used to offset the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).

Parker went on to say that passive investors are individuals or entities participating in management activities less than 500 hours per year. Losses and credits are limited through what the IRS defines as Passive Activity Loss (PAL).  PAL can offset other passive income not related to the renewable energy project. Losses can be carried forward, while credits can be carried back one year and carried forward 20 years.

Tax equity can be structured several different ways for maximum return and minimum risk for the developer and tax equity investor, said Parker. Some of these options include Partnership Flips, and Sales – Leasebacks. “The choice of transaction type depends on the investor’s capital, liquidity, and need for return,” said Parker. “The flip affords the investor more flexibility while the leaseback does not require a substantial infusion of initial capital.”

About Rodman & Rodman P.C.

Founded in 1961 and listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms,” Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies. For three consecutive years, Rodman & Rodman has been named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in Accounting Today. Rodman & Rodman is one of the only providers in New England with a specialized “Green Team”, a green energy and clean technology accounting and tax practice that serves “green” clients throughout the U.S.  The company is Green Business Certified. The firm has locations in Newton and Braintree, MA.  For more information, email info@rodmancpa.com, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

Rodman & Rodman’s Kathy Parker Outlines Subtleties of Clean Energy Tax Incentives at Environmental Business Council Conference in BostonRead More

Rodman & Rodman CPAs Establish “Green Energy” Speaker’s Bureau

The Green Team
The Green Team

Rodman & Rodman, a full service CPA firm with a Renewable Energy and Cleantech specialty practice serving “green” clients throughout the U.S., has recently established a Green Energy Speaker’s Bureau.

Thomas Astore, CPA, JD and Kathy Parker, CPA, MST, who are partners at Rodman & Rodman and active leaders of the company’s Renewable Energy and Cleantech specialty practice known as the “Green Team”, are available to speak to alternative energy producers, businesses and other audiences that pursue energy efficiency initiatives.

Potential topics include (but are not limited to): Green energy tax and business strategies for solar, wind, biomass, and cleantech companies; commercial and residential energy efficiency investments; the types of state and federal tax rebates available for various green energy initiatives; and the newly developed incentives and assistance programs geared towards accelerating the growth of solar energy infrastructure to mitigate climate change.

Mr. Astore and Ms. Parker are recognized experts in renewable energy accounting and have been guest speakers at numerous Cleantech industry conferences and forums. Mr. Astore graduated from Hofstra University and Fordham Law School, where he was a member of the law review. Ms. Parker graduated from University of Texas at Austin and Bentley University. She is the recipient of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs’ (MSCPA) 5th Annual Women to Watch Awards. Most recently, Ms. Parker spoke at “Banker & Tradesman’s Renewable Energy Real Estate Conference” which was attended by more than 120 renewable energy project developers, property owners, investors and commercial lenders in the greater Boston area.

Speaking engagements featuring Thomas Astore or Kathy Parker may be arranged by contacting Kathy Bautze at Rodman & Rodman (617) 965-5959.

About Rodman & Rodman P.C. CPAs

Founded in 1961 and listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms,” Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies. The Rodman & Rodman “Green Team” is a specialized green energy and clean technology accounting and tax services practice within Rodman & Rodman, P.C. that serves “green” clients throughout the U.S.  The company is Green Business Certified and has been named by “Accounting Today” as one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in 2010, 2011, and 2012. For more information, email info@rodmancpa.com, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

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Kathy Parker of Rodman & Rodman CPAs Explains Renewable Energy Project Tax Incentives at Banker & Tradesman’s Renewable Energy Real Estate Conference

Kathy Parker, CPA, MST
Kathy Parker, CPA, MST

“Despite the expiration of the ‘1603 Cash Grant Program’, green energy developers and investors still have a variety of attractive tax incentives to encourage new investment,” said Rodman & Rodman CPAs’ Kathy Parker, at the “Banker & Tradesman’s Renewable Energy Real Estate Conference” last week in Boston. Rodman & Rodman is a full service CPA firm where Ms. Parker serves as a partner, and an active leader in the firm’s Renewable Energy and Cleantech specialty practice. The Conference was attended by more than 120 renewable energy project developers, property owners, investors and commercial lenders in the greater Boston area.

According to Parker, qualified solar, landfill gas, wind, biomass, hydroelectric, geothermal electric, fuel cells, geothermal heat pumps, municipal solid waste, CHP/cogeneration, hydrokinetic power, anaerobic digestion, small hydroelectric, tidal energy, wave energy, ocean thermal, fuel cells (using renewable fuels), and microturbines, are eligible for a 30 percent investment tax credit. Although the credit will not be in cash, it can be used to reduce tax liability for one year back and 20 years forward, said Parker. After 2016, the investment Tax credit on Solar is scheduled to drop to 10 percent. In addition, 100 percent of the tax credits can also be used to offset the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).

Parker pointed out that bonus depreciation on renewable energy projects also ended in 2013. However, solar projects are still eligible for accelerated depreciation over five years.

About Rodman & Rodman P.C. CPAs

Founded in 1961 and listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms,” Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies. The Rodman & Rodman “Green Team” is a specialized green energy and clean technology accounting and tax services practice within Rodman & Rodman, P.C. that serves “green” clients throughout the U.S. The company is Green Business Certified and has been named by “Accounting Today” as one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in 2010, 2011, and 2012. For more information, email info@rodmancpa.com, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

Kathy Parker of Rodman & Rodman CPAs Explains Renewable Energy Project Tax Incentives at Banker & Tradesman’s Renewable Energy Real Estate ConferenceRead More

Homeowners Can Lease the Sun’s Energy!

Russell w Solar Shingle tighter shot 03 24 13

It took 4 billion years for someone to come up with this idea: What if you could literally lease the sun’s energy?
Yes, it sounds too good to be true, but a Cape Cod-based company is offering a solar panel leasing program, and the monthly lease cost is less than the energy savings generated by the solar panels.
It sounds impossible, but that’s how Russell Cazeault describes a plan that is already helping scores of Massachusetts homeowners dramatically cut their energy costs. Cazeault, who heads the fifth-generation Cazeault Roofing and Cazeault Solar based in Osterville, Mass., has teamed up with GAF Solar and Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles to make the futuristic dream of home solar power a reality.
Cazeault is one of the Bay State’s most experienced solar system distributors, and says the company has put roofs on more homes in Cape Cod than anyone else. Many customers decide to install solar shingles at the same time they’re replacing their roof, which can be very cost-effective. Cazeault covers all of eastern Massachusetts and has several showroom locations. (Visit www.cazeaultsolar.com for details).
Facts and figures give dramatic evidence that Massachusetts residents who choose to ‘go solar’ with solar shingles or panels will cut energy costs, earn energy credits, and work toward a greener planet.
Cazeault says solar (photovoltaic/PV) is catching on. “Two years ago, Massachusetts ranked 12th in home solar installations. This year we’ve risen to the 5th most installations (reported by the Solar Energy Industries Association),” he says. “Popularity is growing because the word is out: It’s not unusual for our clients to save 90% or more on their electricity costs.”
Massachusetts is among the top five most ‘solar-friendly’ states in terms of economic incentives in the form of rebates, tax credits and exemptions, Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). Surprisingly, available sun power in New England is about 80% of the sunniest parts of the Southwestern U.S., and PV systems still produce energy on cloudy days.
The following illustration makes the case for leasing a rooftop home solar energy system very enticing:
Initial Down Payment $ 0.00
Monthly Payments (300) $78.23

Lifetime Electrical Savings $63,821.00
Total Lease Payments $23,469.00
Lifetime Profit $40,352.00
ROI on Solar System 272%

For the house in this example, the solar shingle or panel system will produce 84% of its electricity needs from the sun and 16% from the utility grid. The homeowner spent $1,600 per year pre-solar, and $263 per year after installing a solar system. The annual profit in the first year is $398.
Going solar should be viewed as an investment rather than an expense, says Cazeault. Instead of paying the electric company , you not only reduce your electricity costs, you also can increase the value of your home. Another option is to pay cash for the system.
Cazeault says that for home or commercial property owners whose roofs need to be replaced, it is cost-effective to install the new roof and solar shingles or panels at the same time to cut labor costs and create a fully integrated system by experienced, licensed and insured installers.
Under a Massachusetts energy credit program, for every 1,000 watts a home produces, the homeowner receives one Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) and an average homeowner can earn $1,500 in credits annually. Electric suppliers buy these certificates to meet solar renewables portfolio standard (RPS) requirements.“It’s as good as cash,” says Cazeault. However, the SREC’s are considered taxable income.
“The numbers speak for themselves,” says Cazeault. “Installing solar nowadays really is a no-brainer.”
Among added pluses: In the example above, the homeowner’s energy savings is equivalent to saving 123 trees per year.

For more details and a free downloadable copy of How to Eliminate Your Electric Bill in 5 Simple Steps with Solar Energy, got to http://cazeaultsolar.com/interesting-facts-about-solar-energy/#more-2823
For more information about Cazeault Solar, contact Russell Cazeault, www.cazeaultsolar.com, 508.428.1133 or visit 1031 Main Street, Osterville, MA. See the website for other showroom locations.

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Rodman & Rodman Kicks Off New LinkedIn® Group to Aid Cleantech Entrepreneurs with Energy Accounting

Rodman & Rodman CPAs “Green Team” has announced that it has started a new LinkedIn® Group, entitled “Green Energy Accounting & Tax Strategies.”

The new LinkedIn group is intended to provide small to midsize renewable energy and cleantech (e.g. solar, wind, biogas, biomass, geothermal, energy efficiency) companies and entrepreneurs with a networking forum for discussions and guidance on relevant tax issues, best accounting practices, QuickBooks and other accounting software tips, and company/partnership financial structuring to optimize success and achieve financial goals.

“The survival of many green energy and cleantech companies can depend on understanding new and proposed energy tax laws, subsidies and grants,” said Steve Rodman, president of CPA firm Rodman & Rodman, P.C. “A green energy company has to be structured properly to take advantage of the optimal allocations of income and deductions. Even something as simple as setting up an entity’s accounting systems can be crucial to qualify for financing or for investment tax credits against future income.”

The Rodman & Rodman “Green Team” is a specialty accounting practice dedicated to providing alternative energy producers, and other businesses that pursue energy efficiency initiatives, with expert counsel and services in green energy tax accounting and business strategy. The team consists of experienced CPAs who are domain experts in alternative energy accounting and finances.

“We invite green energy and cleantech stakeholders to join the group and participate in productive discussions that will contribute to the success this growing industry,” said Rodman.

About Rodman & Rodman P.C.

Founded in 1961 and listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms,” Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies. The Rodman & Rodman “Green Team” is a specialized green energy and clean technology accounting and tax services practice within Rodman & Rodman, P.C. that serves “green” clients throughout the U.S. The company is Green Business Certified and has been named by “Accounting Today” as one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in 2010, 2011, and 2012. For more information, email info@rodmancpa.com, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

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Rodman & Rodman Recognized as the “Go To” Alternative Energy CPA Practice by Accounting Today Magazine

Rodman & Rodman, P.C., an independent accounting and tax firm with a specialized green energy and clean technology practice known as the “Green Team”, has been featured in Accounting Today in recognition of their work with alternative energy producers.

Accounting Today featured Rodman & Rodman in a “Practice Profile: Meet the Green Team” article. Named as one of the 100 “Best Accounting Firms to Work for” by Accounting Today for the third consecutive year, Rodman & Rodman garnered further attention from the publication for their unique alternative energy niche.

“We’re honored to be featured in Accounting Today for our work with biomass, wind and solar farm developers and clean tech companies in New England and across the country,” noted Steven P. Rodman CPA, MST, the firm’s president.

The Rodman & Rodman team is led by four partners: Steven P. Rodman CPA, MST, president; Kathy Parker CPA, MST; John P. McGovern CPA, ABV, CVA and Thomas Astore CPA, JD.

Astore, who leads the firm’s Green Team, talked about the complexities and commitment involved in serving renewable energy clients. “You have to be knowledgeable about the electric industry and the technology,” said Astore. “You also have to be ready to reach into your pocketbook for traveling to conferences and becoming a member of one or more renewable energy associations.”

Parker spoke about her Green Team role ensuring that renewable energy clients stay the course on grant application guidelines and processes (in particular, the 1603 Grant Program) and conducting complex audits reports for them.

To read the full article, visit:

http://www.accountingtoday.com/ato_issues/27_2/practice-profile-Meet-the-Green-Team-65549-1.html.

About Rodman & Rodman P.C.

Founded in 1961 and listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms,” Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies. The Rodman & Rodman “Green Team” is a specialized green energy and clean technology accounting and tax services practice within Rodman & Rodman, P.C. that serves “green” clients throughout the U.S. The company is Green Business Certified and has been named by “Accounting Today” as one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in 2010, 2011, and 2012. For more information, email info@rodmancpa.com, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

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Rodman & Rodman President Named to NECA’s Renewables and Distributed Generation Committee

Steve Rodman CPA, MST
Steve Rodman, CPA, MST, president of Rodman & Rodman, P.C. has recently been named to the Northeast Energy and Commerce Association’s (NECA) Renewables and Distributed Generation committee. NECA is a 900 member strong, non-profit trade association serving the electric power industry. It has eight standing committees and the Renewables and Distributed Generation committee is dedicated to increasing awareness of the benefits of renewable/clean energy and to facilitating growth of the industry in the Northeast.

Rodman & Rodman is a CPA firm with offices in Newton and Braintree that specialize in tax expertise and business strategy for small and medium sized companies throughout New England and beyond. The firm has a dedicated “Green Team” Renewable Energy and Clean Technology Practice, where Mr. Rodman is a client advisor and advocate in the provision of expert green energy tax advisory, accounting services, and business strategy for alternative energy producers and investors through all stages of their project and business life cycle.

Rodman & Rodman’s Green Team offers its services for companies in the biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, landfill gasses, municipal solid waste, hydroelectric and hydrokinetic sectors of the renewable energy industry. They also assist start-up projects with the Section 1603 program.

“NECA’s mission is to ‘promote greater understanding of the benefits of the competitive energy marketplace’ and our Green Team’s mission is similar,” said Steve Rodman. “ We provide the much needed specialized green energy and clean technology accounting and tax services to businesses that pursue energy efficient initiatives as well as alternative energy production.”

Mr. Rodman is also a member of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) which is a chapter of the American Solar Energy Society and the nation’s leading regional membership organization promoting sustainable energy solutions. The Rodman & Rodman firm is a member of the New England Clean Energy Council.

About Rodman & Rodman P.C.
Founded in 1961, Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies throughout New England. With a focus on strategic planning, Rodman & Rodman goes beyond traditional accounting services and takes a proactive approach when serving clients to increase, preserve and sustain clients’ financial net worth. The company has been named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in Accounting Today and is listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms”.
From business valuations, taxation, audits, fraud detection and prevention services and succession planning to a variety of accounting IT services including software selection, implementation and training, the team at Rodman & Rodman serves as comprehensive advisors to clients. For individual clients, the company offers personal advisory services such as planning for real estate transactions, obtaining financing, estate planning and retirement planning as well as planning for college education. The Rodman & Rodman Green Team is a specialized green energy and clean technology accounting and tax services practice within Rodman & Rodman, P.C.
Rodman & Rodman, P.C. are located at 3 Newton Executive Park in Newton and 25 Braintree Hill Office Park in Braintree, MA. For more information, email greenteam@rodmancpa.com, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

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ElizaJ Announces “Green” Division

ElizaJ, providers of upscale, self-contained restrooms for special events serving thousands of clients along the East Coast, has recently announced a new “Green” division and the provision of Solar Deluxe Restroom Units.

“Consumers are much more conscientious about the environment and it’s evident from their buying decisions. Those who are renting an upscale portable restroom for their next event yet are concerned about the environment, can now rest easy with ElizaJ’s green solutions – Solar Deluxe restroom units,” noted the company’s founder, Eliza Kendall.

ElizaJ recently added the environmentally friendly Solar Deluxe units to the portable restroom fleet. The new units are completely self contained right down to the solar lighting. The Solar Deluxe units conserve water, only using up to six gallons of fresh water, and they do not require hookup. Key advantages of using deliverable restrooms for special events include low cost, portability, water conservation and sanitation facilities where sewer and water are not conveniently available.

Each restroom unit contains mirrors, fresh cut flowers at the sinks; mats and wicker wastebaskets; designer soaps and lotions; name brand toilet and tissue paper and air fresheners.

ElizaJ’s affordable, top of the line deliverable restrooms are suitable for even the swankiest event. The exterior of each unit/trailer is white or linen-white in color and the interior is white with dark blue. The exterior of ElizaJ’s restroom may be decorated with lattice-work or Ficus trees and embellished with tulle and ground level white lights.

For more information or for a price quote, visit www.elizaj.com.

ElizaJ – Ahead with Class
ElizaJ company is one of the largest providers of elegant and environmentally friendly restrooms for outdoor events on the East Coast. Founded by Eliza Kendall, a former event planner, ElizaJ is focused entirely on high quality products and first-rate customer service. Caterers, event planners, rental companies and families know that ElizaJ comes through for them each and every time. Over the years the ElizaJ® name (formerly Leave it to Liza®) has become synonymous with high quality and dedicated service. The company offers a 10 percent discount to non-profits.

ElizaJ is currently offering franchises. ElizaJ’s franchise program is an ideal business opportunity for someone who is seeking additional income; looking to be their own boss; set their own hours and join the ranks of proud entrepreneurs.

ElizaJ is a proud member of the International Special Events Society (ISES); the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA); the New England Franchise Association (NEFA); the International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Portable Sanitation Association International (PSAI). ElizaJ is headquartered in Harwich, MA. For more information, contact 800-437-1139; email info@elizaJ.com or visit their website at www.elizaj.com.

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